Patient education methods to support quality of life and functional ability among patients with schizophrenia

Pitkänen, Anneli and Välimäki, Maritta and Kuosmanen, Lauri and Katajisto, Jouko and Koivunen, Marita and Hätönen, Heli and Patel, Anita and Knapp, Martin
(2011)
Patient education methods to support quality of life and functional ability among patients with schizophrenia.
Quality of Life Research, Online.
ISSN 0962-9343

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of patient education methods on quality of life and functional impairment of patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
A multicentre, randomized controlled trial was carried out in two psychiatric hospitals in Finland from March 2005 to October 2007. A total of 311 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder or delusional disorder were randomly allocated to computer-based patient education (n = 100), conventional education with standard leaflets (n = 106) and standard treatment (n = 105). Participants were followed up 12 months later. Primary outcome was quality of life (Q-LES-Q-SF) and secondary outcome was functional disability (SDS). Analysis was performed by intention-to-treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN74919979.
Results
Patients’ global quality of life improved and functional disability decreased significantly in all education groups over the follow-up time. There were no significant differences between groups in these outcomes.
Conclusions
In light of the findings there is no evidence to support a particular education method as the best way to improve patients’ quality of life or improve functional ability. On the other hand, no intervention was found to be harmful. Thus computer-based patient education may be a suitable alternative for some patients. While information technology will be more widely used in societies, computer-based intervention may be beneficial for some patients with serious mental disorders.